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aspireYour North Central Michigan College Magazine FALL/WINTER 2020-21 IN THIS ISSUE: A Message from the President Amid uncertainty, opportunities abound | 3 Cover Photo In the room with Covid-19: 2019 NCMC Nursing Graduate Hillary Taylor | 4 Presidential Scholars 2020 North Central Presidential Scholars | 9 Paying it forward NCMC employees honor their roots: Donor Recognition | 10 North Central Annual Report Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020) | 14 NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE2 ASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE NORTH CENTRAL Board of Trustees Phil Millard, Chairman Dave Kring, Vice Chair John Fought, Treasurer Irma Noël, Secretary James Shirilla, Trustee Dan Rasmussen, Trustee Melissa Keiswetter, Trustee Administration Office 231-348-6600 Business Office 231-348-6609 Corporate & Community Education 231-348-6822 Financial Aid 231-348-6698 Food & Conference Services 231-439-6391 Library 231-348-6615 NCMC Foundation 231-348-6621 Student & Community Resource Center 231-439-6370 Student Services 231-348-6605 www.ncmich.edu PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING VEGETABLE-BASED INK. North Central Michigan College provides exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education of and for the community. @NorthCentralMCThe beginning of each academic year is full of promise as we welcome a new cohort of students eager to embark on their higher education journey, whether to secure career certification or obtain transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree. The beginning of this academic year, however, holds the unique challenge of educating in a time of crisis juxtaposed with an extra tinge of excitement (and dust!) as North Central completes the first step on a 10+ year journey of renewal. The novel coronavirus has affected all aspects of our society and economy. Colleges wrestle with an ever-changing landscape, working to meet the evolving educational needs of students and communities. While there is no surefire plan for operating a college while fighting a global pandemic, North Central has continued to sustain educational journeys and positively affect the futures of our students. It is with pride that we have also supported our community by providing on-site EMS testing critical to deploying trained paramedics and specialists into the field (pg. 6), and educating nurses, like NCMC alumna Hillary Taylor and others, who have joined the front lines in the fight against Covid-19 (pg. 4). Thanks to the enrollment of a higher percentage of students from outside Emmet County, North Central’s Fall budget reflects a 1 percent increase in tuition revenue over last year. Other great things are also happening at North Central. Our academic programs, areas like nursing, English, and manufacturing, continue to receive state and national recognition. Our nursing program is currently ranked 4 th out of 62 college and university programs in the state. This ranking is based upon our NCLEX (RN) nursing licensure pass rate. The program was also recently approved to admit up to 64 students each year, an increase of 40 percent. In September 2019, our Board of Trustees approved a 103-page Campus Master Plan to ensure that North Central is well positioned for transformative change over the next decade. In preparation, we worked with a planning firm and hosted a series of internal and external stakeholder presentations to pinpoint how to cement our role as Northern Michigan’s first choice for higher education. The initial step on this journey, the $9.9 million Building Tomorrow Together campaign, focuses on the renovation of our 60-year-old main classroom building. Construction began in earnest in May. The project also includes the establishment of a STEM-focused Technology and Innovation Fund, as well as a robust scholarship program that bolsters support resources to ensure students’ goals are not derailed by unexpected financial burdens. Focused determination toward this vision will enable everyone in our region to not only survive but thrive during these unprecedented times – to emerge stronger, more agile and more resilient, inspiring others along the way. Please join us on this journey to create an even brighter future for the learners of Northern Michigan. Sincerely, David Roland Finley, Ph.D., President Amid uncertainty, opportunities abound 3 WWW.NCMICH.EDU A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTMASK UP IN THE ROOM WITH COVID-19 4 When Covid-19 hit Northern Michigan, nurses scrambled to acquire their own PPE. Hillary Taylor’s cousin made this head covering using fabric left over from a “Sink ALS” fundraising event for ALS research. This photo was taken one day before the five-year anniversary of the passing of Hillary’s uncle, who suffered from ALS. For Hillary Taylor, April and May were trial by fire. The 2019 North Central nursing alumna was learning how to treat a highly contagious, novel virus. Following weeks of news coverage from China and Europe, Covid-19 had made its way to the U.S. Though Detroit had made national news for an early outbreak of cases, Northern Michigan was not immune. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan recorded its first positive case on March 13, the same day local schools closed and North Central announced an extended spring break. Meanwhile, on McLaren’s Level 3 medical- surgical unit, Taylor arrived early for her 7 a.m.—7 p.m. shift, allowing extra time to properly suit up. First, she stashed her personal belongings in a makeshift break area outside the inoperative visitor elevators, shut down because visitors were prohibited. New “Covid walls,” popping up throughout the hospital to help contain an airborne virus, led to a zippered doorway and a designated donning/doffing area. “The walls were filled with a clothesline of plastic bags for reusable PPE, and there was a cart filled with bags of sanitized N95 masks — also to be reused — one for each person who entered the unit,” Taylor said. Hospital-issued scrubs came first, followed by a scrub cap to cover her hair, a disposable, plastic gown, rubber gloves, and finally a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) battery and helmet (see inset), which provided critical protection against the inhalation of airborne pathogens. An individual assigned to ensure proper donning of PPE checked Taylor before she entered the unit.5 WWW.NCMICH.EDU “Anytime we had to leave the unit, or to eat, take a drink of water, or use the bathroom, we had to remove everything, sanitize our PAPRs, and then go through the whole process again,” she said. With no visitors allowed inside the hospital, a virus that still seemed surreal to those on the outside was all too real to McLaren’s employees, who were adapting to a once-in- a-century pandemic. With scant professional information available, doctors and nurses learned alongside one another on an even playing field. “Normally, even if we don’t have vast knowledge in a particular area, we always have good resources to learn from,” Taylor said. “With Covid, there was nothing. Patients would ask questions and I would have to tell them that we didn’t know the answers yet.” Usually reserved for patients with chronic illnesses such as kidney disease or COPD, Level 3 had been converted to a Respiratory Isolation unit to treat Covid-19 patients. Many patients were suspected to be Covid- positive, but with rapid testing not yet widely available, results were delayed by a week or longer. Some patients recovered within that time. Others did not. Isolated from their families, they required more intensive care. “I held the hand of an elderly patient who should have had his loved ones by his side,” Taylor said. “I spent a lot of time on the phone with family members who were scared and couldn’t come see their loved one during one of the scariest times of their life.” All the while, Taylor’s smile, which conveys compassion and reassurance to her patients, was hidden by her mask. It was a challenge the self-described “people person” hadn’t foreseen, a lesson not covered in any nursing book. “Covid taught me to talk to my patients with my eyes, as they will never see my mouth,” she said. Another lesson she’ll carry with her is the importance of community — specifically, the strength of ours. “I can’t tell you how many times I was moved to tears by the selfless actions of our community,” Taylor said. “Several local businesses stopped production of their own products to produce PPE to keep us safe. People donated meals, snacks, coffee, homemade masks, scrub caps, and other items to help make our PPE more comfortable. Because of them, we didn’t feel the PPE shortage the way other areas did.” The past nine months, challenging as they have been, have only reinforced Taylor’s commitment to a career she loves. “The other day, a patient told me, ‘I’m so thankful for you,’” she said. “That’s what’s most rewarding. It feels amazing to have the skills and knowledge to support someone during a difficult time in their life.” p ALUMNI SUCCESS STORY Hillary Taylor, RN High school: Petoskey High School, Class of 2001 EDUCATIONAL PATH Dual-enrolled at North Central while in high school; received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hillsdale College; returned to North Central as an adult to complete her nursing degree while working. WHY NORTH CENTRAL “North Central offered a hands-on learning experience, and I loved the small class sizes and clinical groups. Education was more personal, and the instructors were easily accessible.” IMPACT OF DONOR SUPPORT “I was fortunate to receive a Borra Family Foundation scholarship. Navigating financing for schooling is difficult for an established adult who already has a degree. I didn’t qualify for any financial aid or grants because I already had a bachelor’s degree, so receiving that scholarship relieved a huge financial strain.”6 ASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE NORTH CENTRAL HIGHLIGHTS College prioritizes compassion and inclusion as institutional values This spring, following weeks of nationwide protests and a national reckoning with systemic racism, North Central responded by adding compassion and inclusion to its institutional values. In an open letter to our campus community, President David Roland Finley wrote: “Community colleges have a long and proud history of serving underrepresented populations across America, and we value diversity, equity and inclusion. As such, we must lead, not simply with words, but with deliberate action to build a brighter future for each and every individual we serve.” Finley also identified the first of many actions that align with these values: a public safety roundtable focused on implicit racial bias; continued work with sociologist Dr. Paul Hernandez, whose research focuses on education, social inequality and diversity; and a commitment to listening and continuing the conversation to seek a deeper understanding. “Education is an immensely powerful tool that can break down barriers, change minds and dispel stereotypes,” Finley said. “We will not shrink from our responsibility to address social inequities.” North Central partners with MSU for weather station North Central partnered with Michigan State University Extension to install an Enviroweather station on the far east end of campus in June, providing another learning resource for students and community members. The Campbell Weather Station is the latest addition to MSU’s Enviroweather project, which maps and publishes data from weather stations across the state. The new station, located west of McDougal Road on North Country Trail property owned by the college, measures air temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, dewpoint, and wind direction and speed. Data collected by the weather station is available on MSU’s Enviroweather website. Onsite EMS testing addresses nationwide backlog North Central resumed its on-site National Licensing Practical Exam for EMS Paramedics and Specialists in July, helping ease a Covid-related backlog that delayed candidates’ certification and eventual licensure for several months during the height of the pandemic. The licensure exam is given in partnership with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians® and Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness with COMPASSION - With kindness, caring and dignity, we seek to understand and address the complex and unique needs of others. INCLUSION - We strive to create a welcoming environment that values the equitable treatment of each individual and the power of a diverse, well-balanced community to foster personal growth. Now enrolling for Winter 2021 semester. Apply today! ncmich.edu NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE Scholarships and financial aid available. Call 231-348-6605 to learn more. New chapters begin here ... What will your story be? Stay close to home. Stay safe. Stay on track.7 WWW.NCMICH.EDU the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. As one of only four testing sites authorized in the state, North Central’s participation was critical to getting trained EMS paramedics and specialists out into the field. North Central’s high-fidelity CAE simulators allow candidates and evaluating proctors to safely test while experiencing the realities of providing health care in the pre-hospital environment. The simulators provide training on human functions including blood pressure and respiration, as well as other medical conditions candidates must respond to and treat. North Central followed strict protocol to ensure the health and safety of those taking and administering the NREMT exam, including 100 percent mask utilization and limiting the number of testing students from 25 to just nine. North Central hosted both morning and afternoon testing sessions to test 18 candidates weekly beginning July 10. Candidates traveled to the Petoskey campus from multiple regions of the county to take the exam. North Central is an Accredited Paramedic Education Program through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). North Central Michigan College supports Michigan free-tuition program for front line workers North Central Michigan College will serve as a Frontliners Champion to support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Futures for Frontliners program. Futures for Frontliners targets Michiganders who worked in essential industries during the April 1-June 30 period but do not have a college degree. It offers them free tuition to their local community college to pursue an associate degree or a skills certificate on a full-time or part-time basis while they continue to work. As a Frontline Champion, North Central Michigan College has committed to making sure area employees know about this exceptional opportunity. Those without a high school diploma or equivalency may also participate. These individuals are eligible for services to help them prepare for and complete this credential and go on to a community college or job training program. The application period runs through December 31 of this year, with enrollment available beginning in January 2021. To apply and learn more about Futures for Frontliners, visit www.Michigan.gov/Frontliners. For more information, contact Corey Lansing, director of admission, at 231-439-6349. Librarian joins North Central’s team The college welcomed Kendra Lake, BS, MLIS, to campus this summer, when she joined North Central as a full-time librarian. Originally from Port Huron, Lake has been an academic librarian for 9 years, with experience in reference, technical services and administration. “I’ve been a frequent visitor to the area and couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to call my new home,” Lake said. “The role of librarian at North Central allows me to do what I enjoy most: interacting with students, faculty, staff, and the community, supporting academic pursuits, creating a welcoming and comfortable study environment, and ensuring the library has resources and services that boost student success.” When asked about the future of libraries on college campuses, Lake replied, “College libraries have long been the go-to place for information, access to technology, information literacy instruction, and research support. These functions are important and not likely to disappear, rather but evolve with the changing landscape of higher education.” Lake added, “The North Central Library has an excellent foundation and is working to adapt and develop services, systems, and content in flexible formats to provide a welcoming environment and promote equitable access, critical-thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration.”Catching up with Ashley Antonishen, NCMC’s athletic director Q. Why are community college athletics important? A. There are a number of reasons. To start, they develop a sense of community, build positive culture and provide identity. Participation in community college athletics offers opportunities for our student- athletes to be role models for high school and youth athletes, while they themselves grow physically, mentally and emotionally. For North Central, athletic offerings aid in student recruitment and retention, and afford our athletes the ability to represent something bigger than themselves: the community at large. Q. Have you always been involved in some form of athletics? A. Sports have always been part of my life – from a child playing recreational sports, tumbling on the gymnastics beam in my front yard, to my high school career, college career, and as a professional. In high school, I focused on soccer and skiing and got my coaching start alongside my dad when I was 16, coaching youth soccer. I officially fell in love with coaching while working summers with a group of 10-year-old boys who eventually won a State Championship for Petoskey High School in 2008. I continued my soccer career at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I was named All-Conference, Academic All-Conference and team captain. At Northland, I became the first full-time Head Women’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach. I then spent five years at Elmira College coaching the women’s soccer team before accepting the head coaching position at Alma College, where I enjoyed three more successful seasons of coaching NCAA Division III soccer. Now back home in Northern Michigan, I serve as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Petoskey Youth Soccer Association, a Junior Alpine Race Team coach for Nubs Nob Ski Racing and volunteer coach with the Petoskey High School ski teams. Athletics is very much a part of who I am, and I feel blessed to be NCMC’s athletic director, providing opportunities for student-athletes to complement the high-quality education they are receiving at North Central. Q. What is your favorite sport? A. I have never been able to answer this question! It’s hard to narrow it down to just one. I loved both skiing and soccer as a child. At Northland College, I was the assistant women’s basketball coach, and basketball is one of my favorite sports as a fan. Go Green! While I could never do what they do, I love watching and cheering on our NCMC cross country team. Talk about mental toughness! I wasn’t a gamer before becoming NCMC’s athletic director, but by researching and working to build esports, I have come to LOVE what it offers to the athletes. I now have an appreciation for the strategy, communication, and high-level problem solving that is required, in addition to the game prep, scouting, and film review that is all part of this growing sport. Q. Do you have a sports philosophy? A. Sports teach empathy, compassion, and self-discipline. Playing sports is not the only way to acquire these skills; however, sports offer countless opportunities for learning. I have a very holistic coaching philosophy. I believe we should be training our athletes beyond just the physical aspect of a sport. They should also develop their mental understanding of game tactics, and most importantly, the social and emotional skills that will last long after their physical abilities wane. Q. What’s next on the horizon for NCMC athletics? A. Near term, we are adding men’s and women’s esports to our slate of athletic offerings beginning this winter. Esports is a rapidly growing sport at all levels and will resonate with our students. We are excited to be at the forefront of this movement as we build our new program. Longer term, I am working on a 5-year plan to build our program to varsity status and join the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). To meet this target, our athletic programs must be sustainable and fiscally viable for long-term success. p 8 ASPIRE - YOUR NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE Photo: Kenzie Haas and Korrie Haas taking home 3rd in the Kirtland CC Invitational on September 18.Gregory ErwinAlanson High SchoolJonathan PriceHomeschool Brooklyn Fitzpatrick Boyne City High School Wesley Weber Inland Lakes High School Jordin Gellis Boyne Falls High School Aaron Latuszek Johannesburg-Lewiston High School Jaynee BoniCentral Lake High SchoolJosee MisnerLaSalle High School, St. Ignace Lily PrevoCharlevoix High SchoolBrooke WhipkeyMackinaw City High School Faith MasonCheboygan High SchoolBlake DeckerOnaway High School Amber Call Concord Academy Petoskey Wyatt Zulski Pellston High School Zachary Miller Concord Academy Boyne Anna Armstrong Petoskey High School Tegan SwansonEast Jordan High SchoolBrady HunterSt. Mary Cathedral School, Gaylord Keagan PetersonGaylord High SchoolCharles Keefe St. Michael Academy Megan JohnsonHarbor Light Christian SchoolNicole Salvador-DutcherVanderbilt High School Sabrina Hart Harbor Springs High School Jacob Joles Wolverine High School 2020 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS The Presidential Scholarship is offered to a graduating senior from each of the high schools in our service area, and to one graduating senior among homeschool students. The scholarship provides full tuition and mandatory fees for four consecutive semesters immediately following high school graduation. The Presidential Scholarship is valued at $13,000 for Emmet County high school seniors and $19,000 for out-of-district high school seniors. The list of recipients below represents $414,000 in scholarship dollars awarded to 2020 high school graduates in our service area. “The Presidential Scholarship will help me pay for classes during my first two years of college, which is huge to me. My family and I were both amazed and very proud. I cannot wait to see what my future holds as I begin my journey at North Central.” —Faith Mason, Presidential Scholar from Cheboygan High School “ ”Next >